Affordable, One Brand, Three Watch Collections
I've recently seen a lot of good content around three watch collections. The only problem is how much those collections cost. As someone whose meals often consisted of a deep breath, price is something to which I will always be sensitive. My strugglebus didn't take the direct or express route to Successville, it made multiple stops in places like Hungertown and Broke-ass City. So using my own collection, I've formed sub-collections with affordable brands Casio, Seiko, and Citizen. I'll be looking at one sport, one dress, and one casual watch for each brand.
Casio: MDV106, AW-80, and MTP M100. ~$200
The Duro deserves all the praise lauded upon it. It doesn't have the best lume or strap, but it looks and functions amazingly for the price.
The Casio Royale would be a great pick, but I'm going with the AW-80. It also has world time, but includes the useful telememo function and the ana-digi times can be used independently. When traveling, I'll keep the analog hands for my home time and change the digital display to local.
The MTP M100 looks great with a moon phase.
Seiko: SRPF79J1 King Samurai Dark Manta, SNKP21J1 Sheiko, SRK047P1. ~$680
The Dark Manta is the priciest watch in the bunch, but it's worth it.
The Sheiko is different with its Arabic dial, the most affordable I could find.
This one is a fantastic quartz piece with a sapphire crystal and a better bracelet than the costlier Presage line.
Citizen: BN0151 Promaster Diver, AP1050, CB0241 Citizen Promaster Skyhawk. ~$840
I've used this diver the most on my underwater adventures.
Another moon phase, this one includes an annual calendar with pointer date.
Using the Skyhawk 's decimal scale is a fun trick to impress friends when splitting a dinner bill.
Is there anything you would include in these collections? What other great, affordable watches are out there?
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
I would probably include a Casio Edifice and a San Martin in a budget 3 watch collection but I would also include one retro 50's or 60's watch.
Great topic!
Here would be my submission:
Casio, just because it's a Casio. This one is my favorite model.
Pro Divers are where I started my auto-obsession. Solid ass watch👌
Vostok because it's just one of those brands I had to put in.
Combined this collection costs ~$200
Those are all nice three watch collections. There are endless combinations possible with each brand, of course. I do have differences in my Seiko and Citizen choices.
Seiko Prospex SNE573
Seiko 5 SRPJ85
Seiko 5 SNK809
Citizen Promaster Diver EO2020-08E
Citizen Promaster Nighthawk BJ7000-52E
Citizen Promaster Land GMT World Time BJ7100-23X
I would probably include a Casio Edifice and a San Martin in a budget 3 watch collection but I would also include one retro 50's or 60's watch.
I did want to put an Edifice in there but wanted to keep that price down. They're still great watches you can find under $100. I don't have any San Mantins yet but they're on my radar.
Great topic!
Here would be my submission:
Casio, just because it's a Casio. This one is my favorite model.
Pro Divers are where I started my auto-obsession. Solid ass watch👌
Vostok because it's just one of those brands I had to put in.
Combined this collection costs ~$200
That's the round world timer I'm looking for! I was surprised how many guys had pro divers in my old unit, great beater watches, same with Vostok!
Those are all nice three watch collections. There are endless combinations possible with each brand, of course. I do have differences in my Seiko and Citizen choices.
Seiko Prospex SNE573
Seiko 5 SRPJ85
Seiko 5 SNK809
Citizen Promaster Diver EO2020-08E
Citizen Promaster Nighthawk BJ7000-52E
Citizen Promaster Land GMT World Time BJ7100-23X
I see a theme of land, sea, and air! All great choices! I almost got the Nighthawk but liked the Skyhawk dial better.
I see a theme of land, sea, and air! All great choices! I almost got the Nighthawk but liked the Skyhawk dial better.
Yes, I do like a land, sea, and air collection. 😁
I don’t have three to offer but do think a Casioak G-Shock (metal case for mine) is awesome IMO
The G-Shock 2100 series are great. Just picked one up for $85. Have seen them in the $60 dollar range new - Jomoshop had the red one recently very inexpensive
Sometimes Macy's has really good sales. I bought all these for a total of $210.
This is a fantastic post with amazing watch choices. Thank you for sharing, and please keep your passion alive—it’s inspiring to all of us! 🕐👍
All of these brands are great. Just be aware of the pitfalls of owning any brand. I.e. Casio is cheap, cheerful and not worth servicing. Just get a new one. Seiko and Citizen hover between the just buy a new one or get it fixed/service bracket depending on how much you spent and sentimental value. Eco drive watches are more expensive to replace batteries than a regular quartz. How do you treat your watches and under what conditions? So many factors.
This is a fantastic post with amazing watch choices. Thank you for sharing, and please keep your passion alive—it’s inspiring to all of us! 🕐👍
Thank you for the kind words and encouragement! I will certainly do my best!
All of these brands are great. Just be aware of the pitfalls of owning any brand. I.e. Casio is cheap, cheerful and not worth servicing. Just get a new one. Seiko and Citizen hover between the just buy a new one or get it fixed/service bracket depending on how much you spent and sentimental value. Eco drive watches are more expensive to replace batteries than a regular quartz. How do you treat your watches and under what conditions? So many factors.
❤️ for the good boy in the picture.
All that is certainly true. There are Seikos and Citizens in my family that are over 20 years old and haven't needed servicing yet. Hopefully it stays that way for some time.
Hey man, I'm new to his culture and I just want to thank the OP for starting this discussion. I love it, this is one of the things I camehere for. 🔥
For an affordable 3 watch collection I’d look to Orient, and I’d go:
Orient Kamasu, best diver at this price point in my opinion.
Orient Bambino, for when you want to dress up a bit
And their solar chronograph, always worth having a grab and go quartz piece and I’ve got to have a chronograph in my collection.
I wish I could take credit for it but I saw it on a WRUW post. I tried searching for it but couldn't find anything. It is clever so kudos to whoever came up with it!
I thought about Timex as well, but I only have one. I'll have to fix that! I've seen HMTs before but nothing that resonated with me.
Haha I get you. There’s a lot more garish HMTs compared to other watch brands as their dials are often redone a lot. I have one I really like but to each their own!
For an affordable 3 watch collection I’d look to Orient, and I’d go:
Orient Kamasu, best diver at this price point in my opinion.
Orient Bambino, for when you want to dress up a bit
And their solar chronograph, always worth having a grab and go quartz piece and I’ve got to have a chronograph in my collection.
I forgot about Orient! If they make a smaller dive watch, I’d love to get one in the future
I forgot about Orient! If they make a smaller dive watch, I’d love to get one in the future
Their new Makos are 40mm, and I think they’ve fixed the QC issues with them.
Retail price Seiko make nowadays affordable by the skin on there teeth ..
For an affordable 3 watch collection I’d look to Orient, and I’d go:
Orient Kamasu, best diver at this price point in my opinion.
Orient Bambino, for when you want to dress up a bit
And their solar chronograph, always worth having a grab and go quartz piece and I’ve got to have a chronograph in my collection.
Good call! I know spec wise you can't really beat them.
... But I can't get over that terrible logo! Which is a shame, I really like the gen 4 Bambino with the blue fume dial, but I just can't do it. 😢
Good call! I know spec wise you can't really beat them.
... But I can't get over that terrible logo! Which is a shame, I really like the gen 4 Bambino with the blue fume dial, but I just can't do it. 😢
That’s a shame but we like what we like. Luckily there are alternatives from the likes of Seiko.
Retail price Seiko make nowadays affordable by the skin on there teeth ..
Their quartz offerings are still pretty good, but I agree about the rest. They keep trying to position themselves up-market but they don't really improve anything. I get the older Seiko 5's and swap the movement.
Casio World Time
Vintage Smith De Luxe or Empire
Seiko diver (any model)
Great choices all round.
Great topic!
Here would be my submission:
Casio, just because it's a Casio. This one is my favorite model.
Pro Divers are where I started my auto-obsession. Solid ass watch👌
Vostok because it's just one of those brands I had to put in.
Combined this collection costs ~$200
Did you remove the bezel from that pro diver in the picture, or is that a slightly different model?
Did you remove the bezel from that pro diver in the picture, or is that a slightly different model?
I removed the bezel insert. I was in a phase where I wanted a submariner style watch with a silvertone steel bezel insert so I was trying out a whole bunch of modifications.
When I got to the Pro Diver I realized I legitimately, unironically, loved the look.
Good call on the AW-80, it's a wonderful little watch.
I removed the bezel insert. I was in a phase where I wanted a submariner style watch with a silvertone steel bezel insert so I was trying out a whole bunch of modifications.
When I got to the Pro Diver I realized I legitimately, unironically, loved the look.
Honestly it looks amazing! Great choice!
I agree with those 3 Japan 🇯🇵 does it well.🍻